This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are 10 games in the NHL on Thursday, so it won't be difficult to differentiate your selections for tournaments. Here are a handful of players across multiple price points to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at MON ($7,500): Yes, Montreal is 15-2-2 at home, but these aren't the '78 Habs. Dubnyk paces the league in save percentage (.948), GAA (1.55) and shutouts (five), and yet you've got to scroll down the price list at DraftKings to find him for Thursday's contests. It's not an ideal matchup with Carey Price stopping pucks on the other side, but Minnesota hasn't met a team this year it can't suffocate and beat.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, TOR at COL ($5,900): Projected to skate with Mitch Marner and James Van Riemsdyk, Kadri's offensive upside skyrockets. The 26-year-old pivot has spent most of the season in a defense-first role with inferior wingers to the duo that flanked him during Wednesday's practice. Kadri also provides a high floor because of his significant shot volume (3.03 per game).
Bryan Little, WPG at VAN ($5,500): With a solid 2.70 points per 60 minutes this season, Little is a touch underpriced and lands in a solid matchup. Vancouver has allowed the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season, after all. Little should also be out for revenge after putting only one shot on goal and going minus-2 against these same Canucks on Tuesday.
WING
Brandon Saad, CLM vs. PIT ($6,200): The 24-year-old winger finally scored his first power-play point against Vancouver on Sunday, which took forever, considering he's attached to the league-leading unit. It's been his even-strength play that's carried Saad, though. Among all skaters with at least 400 minutes, he leads the league in points per 60 minutes at five-on-five with a 3.05 mark. Expect him to be scarcely owned against Pittsburgh, too.
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA at OTT ($5,800): Currently sporting a 10-game, 35-shot scoreless drought, Silfverberg is a prime candidate to bounce back in a slump-busting matchup Thursday. His 9.47 shots per 60 minutes at five-on-five rank 14th in the league among all skaters with at least 400 minutes, and the Sens have allowed the seventh-most scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league.
Frank Vatrano, BOS at FLA ($3,400): Dating back to last season, Vatrano has 38 goals and 57 points through 38 AHL games, and he should draw into the lineup to face the Panthers on Thursday. His assignment should be double-checked before you lock him into your lineup, but considering Boston's scoring woes, Vatrano should see plenty of offensive looks. He's in cheap-flier territory.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, PIT at CLM ($5,000): Until Schultz's price catches up to his production, the defenseman is a daily consideration. After all, he's up to six goals, 15 points, 24 shots and 16 blocked shots over his past 11 games. Those are elite-of-the-elite numbers, and there's plenty of room for negative regression before his current salary becomes too hefty.
Mattias Ekholm, NAS vs. LOS ($4,100): With P.K. Subban (upper body) out, Ekholm has notched three even-strength points -- one goal -- through three games while averaging 23:25 of ice time. The 26-year-old Swede is in the midst of a fleeting uptick in fantasy value, and Ekholm also provides some cross-category production, having totaled 51 shots and 55 blocked shots for the campaign.
